Ukraine carried out its biggest drone attack on Moscow since the war began. The strike happened just hours before U.S. and Ukrainian teams met for key peace talks in Saudi Arabia.
Massive Drone Attack Hits Moscow
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 337 drones targeted Russia overnight on Monday. Among them, 91 drones struck the Moscow region, killing two people, causing fires, and disrupting air and train services.
A senior Ukrainian official said on Tuesday that the strike aimed to pressure President Vladimir Putin into accepting Kyiv’s proposed air ceasefire.
Ukraine Signals Putin With Drone Strikes
“The largest drone strike in history hit Moscow and its region,” said Andriy Kovalenko, a National Security Council official. “This is a signal to Putin that he should consider an air ceasefire.”
Russia’s Health Ministry confirmed two deaths and 18 injuries in the Moscow region. Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, called it the largest drone attack on the capital.
Flights and Transport Disrupted
Flights at all four Moscow airports were suspended, according to Russian aviation authorities. Two other airports in the Yaroslavl and Nizhny Novgorod regions also shut down.
Russian Telegram channels shared images of the aftermath. The strikes hit a parking lot outside a large supermarket in Domodedovo, a southern suburb of Moscow. The attack resulted in casualties, including two security guards and damaged 40 vehicles.
Ukraine Targets Russian Infrastructure
Russian officials and pro-Russian media claim they shot down drones and that debris caused damage to homes and buildings. However, they do not confirm whether the drones hit military targets.
Ukraine regularly strikes Russian infrastructure in response to ongoing bombings. However, Tuesday’s attack was Moscow’s largest this year. With peace talks approaching, the strike signaled Kyiv’s refusal to accept an unfavorable deal.
Zelensky Seeks U.S. Support in Saudi Arabia
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Saudi Arabia. He aimed to repair strained U.S. relations and negotiate better terms for ending the war. Ukraine also hopes to reverse the Trump administration’s decision to freeze intelligence sharing and military aid.
Without U.S. support, Ukraine relies on its growing drone industry and homemade artillery systems for defense.
Ukraine and Russia Expand Drone Programs
Both Ukraine and Russia continue advancing their drone programs. Kyiv has set up a drone command and extended system ranges, allowing strikes deep into Russia. Targets include weapons depots, oil refineries, and airstrips near the Arctic Circle. Ukrainian drones have even struck naval vessels in the Caspian Sea.
The Russian media outlet Kommersant reported that Ukraine used new An-126 Lutyi (Schestok) drones in Tuesday’s attack.
Russia Increases Pressure in Kursk
In addition to striking Moscow, Ukraine launched over 100 drones in Russia’s Kursk region near the Ukrainian border. Russia has been reclaiming lost territory there since Ukraine’s counteroffensive last summer.
After the U.S. cut off military and intelligence aid, Russia intensified its offensive in Kursk. Russian forces now threaten to encircle thousands of Ukrainian troops.
On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed Ukraine’s drone attack showed Russia’s growing battlefield advantage.
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